From Dan Martell’s CrunchtimeNB initiative to Lisa Hrabluk’s Wicked Ideas (as in, she tells me, wicked smart), there has been a lot of focus on getting out the youth vote in this election. I love it. The more NBers engaged in…
Continue ReadingI didn’t want to write this, but I did (Warning: Fracking content ahead)
I read the article quoting the most popular Premier in Canada, Brad Wall, and his position on shale gas – or more specifically hydraulic fracturing as Saskatchewan is mostly using the technology to frack for oil in the Bakken –…
Continue ReadingAre we fracking Confederation?
Watching Joe Oliver’s response to the Nova Scotia fracking ban was painful. He paused after every word. He hummed and hawed. Presumably what he would like to say but can’t is that this issue could end up putting a whopping…
Continue ReadingPopulation churn: It’s the net number that counts
Political campaigns are filled with snappy one liners meant to stick in the voters mind. In New Brunswick there tends to be a lot in the spirit of “keep our young people home”. That tugs at the heart strings –…
Continue ReadingVideo games and economic development
There is an excellent article on the front page of the NY Times on the rise of these multi-player video games as a spectator sport. From the article: The video game Dota 2, like so many across the Internet, transports…
Continue ReadingWas the New Brunswick journalist crap-o-meter broken last week?
Around the time of elections going back to 1999, I have been asked to provide input into various economic development-related party platforms and campaign ideas. In this election cycle, I was asked by the Liberals to conduct an independent economic…
Continue ReadingThree cheers for free trade! Now let me see, do I actually have anything to trade?
Some of the Premiers – mostly the western Premiers – are pushing for more free trade between the provinces. It’s outrageous we are told that it is easier to trade with some other countries than between provinces. I’m a believer…
Continue ReadingWho is telling the little, white lies?
We love to scrutinize the pols to see who is telling the truth and who, shall we say, is not telling the truth. The media has ‘fact check’ initiatives. The parties accuse each other of falsehoods. I accuse us of…
Continue ReadingLet the games begin: Campbell versus Bruce Round One
Alec Bruce is one of my favourite NB writers on public policy issues. He has been skewering politicians and bad ideas for over 20 years – part Fotheringham – part Wells – all relevant to our public debate. But in his latest screed,…
Continue ReadingCurious: CFIB election priorities do not include economic growth
It’s a bit counterintuitive that the CFIB’s six focus areas for the NB provincial election do not include anything about growth – economic growth, population growth, nothing. The six are: 1. Improving tax competitiveness 2. Reducing “red tape” 3. Achieving…
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